Just a few lines as we are practically heading out the door to go to Italy for the 40th Vinitaly trade show in Verona and, while we are there, visit some of our favorite producers about whom we will inform you when we get back.

Sunday, April 2, 2006 a new series of events promoted by the agriturismo Paideia di Borgo Priolo, the 'Incontri d'Autore con il Produttore', or 'Author Meets Producer' opens. The idea is to add moments of enological education and culture linked to the Sunday lunch to the usual 'Weekend del Gusto' ('Tasteful Weekends'). Continue...

With a growth of 17% over the previous year, the Nobile di Montepulciano (Noble from Montepulciano) has contributed strongly to the rise of Italian wine imports to the US, which in 2005 recorded a total of growth of 11.4%. Continue...

"A memorable vintage, the best in the last 20 years!" This is what the over 100 trade journalists and international experts, who met in the Sicilian capital city of Palermo for the third annual 'Sicilia en Primeur', agreed upon, in regard to the 2005 vintage.Continue...

For the first time three wine producing consortiums have developed a joint large project: 'Territori DiVino', a play on word which means 'Wine Territories', but sounds like 'Divine Territories'.

Technically this is a Temporary Association of Businesses which includes the Consorzio dei Vini Veneti (Consortium of Venetian Wines), the Consorzio dei Vini di Asti ( Consortium of Wine from Asti), and the Consorzio del Chianti Classico (Consortium of Chianti Classico). The project is led by U.VI.VE. - Unione Consorzi Vini Veneti DOC (United Consortium of Venetian DOC Wines) with the objective to develop and promote the wine producing sector, focusing on the fundamental elements of quality and typicality of Italian wines. Continue...

The landmark exhibition in the wine world is already fully booked. As many as 4,200 businesses will participate, occupying an area of around 80,000 square meters (over 860,000 square feet).

Two new exhibition halls will be ready by the end pf March, expanding net area to over 860.000 square feet, welcoming more than one hundred new exhibitors, compared to the 2005 edition, for a total of 4,200 producers from 30 countries.Continue...

According to Italian Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Gianni Alemanno, the agriculture and food fairs of Verona and Parma must work together. He also said that Verona is back in the spotlight as candidate host city for the headquarter for the agriculture and food authority.Continue...

Roberto Cipresso, a respected Italian wine maker who worked for the late Pope John Paul II, has jolted the enological world by partnering with Natalie Oliveros, better know as Savanna Samson, a New York blonde porn queen who recently earned the US porn industry's highest award for best all-girl sex scene.Continue...

WineCountry.IT
Columns

Italian Native Vines

Viticulture in the Umbria region has deeply rooted traditions. many archeological findings reveal that two different civilizations, the Etruscan and the Umbri, cultivated vines in the area long before the arrival of the Romans.

Another indication of the natural inclination of this region for winemaking, is the fact that over the course of time, several native vine varieties developed locally, such as Grechetto, Verdello, Drupeggio, Procanico, Trebbiano Spoletino and various types of Malvasia, among the white grapes, and Sagrantino, Sangiovese and Ciliegiolo among the red grapes.
- Read More...

The Company of the Month for April 2006 is a Sardinian winery, the Cooperativa Romangia di Sorso e Sennori. The cooperative and winery were founded in 1996, to build upon the experience with the old Cantina Sociale di Sorso-Sennori, founded in 1955, and re-launch the quality wine from this auspicious wine production zone.

People in the area have always known that the Romangia history was strongly linked to that of vine cultivation. Recently though, this common knowledge has been confirmed by archeological remains found in a site near the village of Geridu, in the municipality of Sorso.
- Read
More...